Avoid Senseless Debate

If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them. Titus 3:10

Our daughter competed with students from all over the country on her college’s varsity debate team.

I teased her about majoring in Argumentation, but parliamentary debate is not about arguing. It’s a structured process with limits and rules. Each side presents a case and rebuts the opposing team. At the end of a set length of time, a judge declares the winner.

Some people like to argue just to hear their own voice, and it’s these that Paul says aren’t worth a third hearing.

You know them. They bring up the same tired arguments every time. They aren’t even interested in coming to a conclusion, because doing so would mean having to be quiet and move on.

Paul clearly suggests a solution. Tell them twice that they need to move on, and then cut them off. Have nothing more to do with them.

You only have so much time. Don’t waste it on senseless debate.